Church Path
Merton
London
SW19

Location map

Parish website

Parish Contacts

Rev John Hayward (Vicar)
The Vicarage, 3 Church Path, London SW19 3HJ

Tel: 020-8543 6192
E-mail: vicar@stmarysmerton.org.uk

Parish Office
Church Path, Merton Park
Tel: 020-8542 1760

Sunday Services

8.00 amHoly Eucharist9.30 amParish Eucharist11.30 amHoly Baptism
(1st Sunday)6:30 pmEvensong

Details of all Sunday and weekday services and activities may be obtained from the parish contacts

Information

Patron: Bishop of Southwark

Population (2001 census): 8,867
Urban Priority Area: No

Deanery: Merton
Archdeaconry: Lambeth
Episcopal Area: Kinston
Diocesan Record Office: Surrey History Centre

Built: 12th century
Listing: grade 2*

St Mary's lies in a quiet and historic corner of south west London, in the heart of the Merton Park Conservation Area, south of Wimbledon.

A church has stood on this site since before the Domesday Book. It was founded by the Augustinian monks who also founded Merton Priory. Parts of the present building date back to 1115. The roof of the nave is nearly 900 years old and that of the chancel dates from 1400. The two aisles were built in the 19th century to accommodate the population explosion.

Every generation has left its mark: the gateway to the ancient Merton Priory; the fine Elizabethan memorial of Gregory Lovell; the tomb of Rear Admiral Issac Smith, the first Englishman to land in Australia; a monument by the widow of Captain Cook; Lord Nelson's seat - he worshipped regularly at this church towards the end of his life; the hatchments of Lord Nelson and Sir William Hamilton; stained glass from the 1400's and from the local factory of William Morris; Edward Rayne is buried in the South Aisle; other famous names associated with this church include John Innes and William Rutlish.